heroine

noun

her·​o·​ine ˈher-ə-wən  ˈhir- 

ˈhe-rə-

1

a

: a mythological or legendary woman often of divine descent having great strength or ability

b

: a woman admired and emulated for her achievements and qualities

American heroines such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Rosa Parks

remembered as the heroine of the flood

2

a

: the principal female character in a literary or dramatic work

the heroine of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

b

: the central female figure in an event or period

Examples of heroine in a Sentence

The town remembered her as the heroine of the flood and erected a statue in her honor.

Recent Examples on the Web

And all too soon after that, a certain global pandemic strikes, and the worst thing that can happen to our heroine, well, happens. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Hernández serves as the production’s general director and plays La Lota, the zarzuela’s flirtatious heroine. — Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026

Elisabeth Moss plays Atwood’s heroine, Offred, a name signifying that she has been assigned to Commander Fred Waterford, though her real name is June. — Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026

But our heroine, who’s clearly still possessed by the superhuman poise that Yeoh has weaponized across her brilliant career, is unconvinced. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin heroina, from Greek hērōinē, feminine of hērōs

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for heroine

• heroin

Kids Definition

heroine

noun

her·​o·​ine ˈher-ə-wən 

1

: a woman in legends or myths who has great courage and daring

2

: a woman admired for her achievements and qualities

3

: the chief female figure in a literary work or in an event or period